Extrajudicial killing is simply defined as killing of a person by government authorities without the sanction of the legal process. Clearly, extrajudicial killings do not include the killing of persons in the performance of legitimate military or police operations.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has shifted the implementation of its Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) program to high gear – a long overdue action from a government that operates within a Constitution that has in it a declared state policy of giving priority to education and explicit provisions on the protection and promotion of the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and the taking of appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

Budget Circular No. 2016-5 issued by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) does not speak of any novel austerity measure for the government as a similar circular was also issued during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. However, in the overall context of “change” in government that the Duterte Administration is pursuing, the ban on the purchase of luxury vehicles by any government agency is a small, yet very significant element of what President Duterte calls a “clean government.”

The Duterte Administration certainly has the character of honoring its word. Such is the opposite of the “broken promises” character of previous administrations. The current administration is also admired for its fast actions on the people’s concerns.

Should the remains of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos be finally interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani? This is an issue has divided Filipinos then. This issue is still dividing the Filipinos now.

The stand of Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III against increasing the Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate from the current 12 percent to 14 percent is admirable not only because it is pro-consumers but also because it reflects the kind of government that we have now.